Chris Reeve Knives - The Emperor's New Clothes?

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I have alot of knives and I try and carry them all. But when I have my CRK Small Sebenza in my pocket or in my Custom made for it belt sheath I have no worries regarding how hard I use it or if it will fail me. It never has and is just a great High Quality knife that has a very Understated and Classic look to it. I have used it enough that I sent it to back to CRK and they returned it as if it were new but left just enough small scratches in it to let me know it's mine... I May never buy another only for the fact that I don't need to, this is on is still perfect!
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Sharp Phil said:
This thread is an obvious act of trolling.
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I could not disagree more. I think the OP has a valid question that could spark good conversation about how knives and knife makers come to be so popular and build the reputation that CRK has built for themselves.

I often wonder the same thing but have never posted the question because I know what the thread will turn into.

OP - I have never handled a CRK knife and have often thought of purchasing a used Sebbie to try it out, but have not. From what I've read CRK seems to be a very reliable company that stands behind their work, which goes a long way with me.
 
You can disagree all you want to. It's about as obvious as a troll can get.
Anyone who owns, or has owned, a Sebenza can read the original post and know this guy is completely full of it. Exaggerations, but mostly outright lies.
 
OwenM said:
You can disagree all you want to. It's about as obvious as a troll can get.
Anyone who owns, or has owned, a Sebenza can read the original post and know this guy is completely full of it. Exaggerations, but mostly outright lies.
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I'm not going to get into an arguement about if the OP is trolling or not, it's not worth my time. By no means, did I mean to kick off the troll war by disagreeing with Phil.

I am, as a potential future buyer of a CRK knife, interested in the responses of the current owners.
 
If you have owned one. Used and carried it for a month. You will fully understand.

When I got mine I had only heard about it on websites.

When I got it I opened and closed it a few times and thought "what the heck this thing is plain and boring" All this money and it doesn't do any neat tricks wtf?

I carried it nights and weekends at home for a while. Everytime I looked at it I noticed something new in that plain old design that is just brilliant.

The knife is maxed out. What I mean is there is nothing it lacks and I believe you get about the most useable blade size, good gripping handle, with a small print in your pocket you can get out of a folding knife of that size. Also maximum durability, strength per size and weight.

I'm glad I didn't make my judgement from a few moments use. I now own a large and small and carry them both.

Please feel free to hate on though, more for us lovers to buy, with less demand so we can get them cheaper! :)
 
It sounds like you have some axe to grind with Chris Reeve.
Perhaps something happened which has caused your animosity towards the company?
If this is so would you enlighten us.

If not I am at a loss to know why you attack him and his product?
Simply buy another brand.......
 
Why.

It may just be the quality of the knives that are made.

It may just be the quality of the people behind those knives.

It may just be the number of manufacturing awards they have received. (More so than the rest combined).

Should not be that hard to figure out for reasonable folks.
 
myright said:
I could not disagree more. I think the OP has a valid question that could spark good conversation about how knives and knife makers come to be so popular and build the reputation that CRK has built for themselves.
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The OP posted an inflammatory question designed to cause controversy because it was based on a biased premise.
 
Bastid said:
Stay on topic.
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As the recent benefactor of this type of thread I would like to speak. The CRK folding knives are some of the best engineered in the knife world, much admired by people like Bob Dozier and Phil Gibbs, both great knife engineers. Ann Reeves is one of the best business women in this industry and runs a tight ship.

The original poster will find that he has been of great benifit to CRK what ever his intention. Just as Dave was to me in the 24 page thread he started. This is called the Law of Un-Intended Consenquences.
 
CRK has built a reputation on quality control for his knives, and customer service. People like CRK knives or they don't. This statement pertains to the FB's. The Sebenza is in a class by it's self. The Sebenza is one of the best folders ever designed. Will you drop big bucks for it? Some will, some won't. I think the OP asked a fair question.
 
Sharp Phil said:
The OP posted an inflammatory question designed to cause controversy because it was based on a biased premise.
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Similar to your original post? :rolleyes:

I find that for the knife to feel like a, and I quote, "steel twinky" in the hand is unacceptable. I tend to dislike frame locks, first off because they are almost exclusively tip up, and second because they always have to have a big chunk of metal in the back. Ti, steel, whatever. The best you can do is make one G-10 scale and then you're stuck with the metal scale on the back. Not a fan of SS knives. (Except maybe the Lava).

I think that the sheer "awe" of his knives, and their price tag, cause most people to not use them as hard as they would a lesser priced knife. I plan on getting a Byrd and destroying it, simply because it's cheap and I want to know how far it would go.

When someone like Noss tests an expensive knife and it fails, people blame him, when he tests a Busse and it performs exceptionally, they applaud the knife, and look at him like he's crazy still. No way to win, but I still would like to know how much "hard use" a knife can take before I buy it. S30V breaking when splitting wood? :thumbdn:
 
Sebenzas really are the cat's meow of framelocks.

As to all the issues you mention, you can find someone who has those. Those are there with every knife company.

My recommendation is for you not to buy one. For many they are very worth it. For you, obviously not. Knives are largely personal preference.
 
I have had many, and liked them a lot. Never had a problem with them, and they were exceptionally well made. I did sell end up selling them all, mainly because they just didn't float my boat anymore. No specific reason, or any problem. I still like their knives, but like others better. That is what makes the world go round. :)
 
I have lots of awesome knives but the small sebenza I own hasn't been bumped out of my pocket yet. I think its kind of like people who buy 25-50 dollar jeans because they work and they could care less, compared to people who will pay upwards of 400 dollars for a pair of raw japanese selvedge jeans. They more you pay, generally the more the quality but it also has a snob appeal to it. I don't brag to other people about my sebenza or jeans but I sure like having nice stuff!
 
I feel it's like every other great knife company, they make an excellent knife (maybe only folders but we don't need to go down that path) have an excellent warranty and are a pleasure to deal with. Much as Busse, RAT, Swamp Rat, Strider, etc. These companies have such a loyal following becuase the individual sees something special or has had a good experience with them. People start talking about over priced knives and it makes me laugh a little. Any of the above knives will last a lifetime and any can be had for what it costs me in diesel fuel over a month. Troll or not it's a valid question and my answer to that can be borrowed from Harley-Davidson...if you have to ask, you don't understand.
 
The OP makes some good points. How can that be trolling? :confused:

I don't have any beef with them, and wonder the same things. I have owned and used Sebbies for 3 years. Great knives, but their CS flat out sucked for me! I didn't make a stink of things as I know I would be hung here.

Why the Umnum? Did users ever ask CRK for a knife like this?
Why do they treat S-30 to a low RC?
Why are some studs so sharp they CUT your thumb?
Why do they ship dull knives from the factory?
Why the weak detent?
Why do they no show their face in THEIR OWN forum here???

Look at Kershaw and Spyderco, now that's the right way to run your company forum.

The Large BG-42 reg. Is probably the "one" for me, but the S-30s do nothing for me.

Flame on, :cool:
 
i suppose i have a similar feeling as the OP though i wouldn't go so far as to imply that CRK is naked (as in, the emperor has no clothes). the sebenza is a great knife, but admit that i too have a hard time seeing how the retail price is justified in purely functional or asthetic terms. the answer--i think--is that the sebenza is a status symbol among knife knuts. the sebenza (or any semi-custom knife) shows that you know quality and that you are committed enough to knives and knife collecting to shell out the bucks. nothing wrong with that either. like a rolex watch, you pay for the brand and it's a brand that everyone (on some level or another) wants.
 
theonew said:
Why is Chris Reeve such an unimpeachable darling here? For the life of me I can't figure it out. As far as I can tell the only real earth-shattering innovation he has come up with is the framelock, which is basically just an improvement on the liner lock. Other than that, what am I missing?
unimpeachable? It's a CRK forum, people are going to be biased a bit.
The pivot bushing, nice idea in theory, but a nightmare if off by even millionths of an inch. The lack of it on the Umnum seems to be an admission that it was a less than stellar idea.

S30V steel, an increase in edge retention over something like 154CM or VG-10 but with a noticeable loss in toughness, that depending on the heat treatment varies from acceptable to chipping while slicing a banana. Not exactly a major step forward.
Actually, I prefer the CRK S30V to that in my prior Benchmades and as much as my prior Spyderco's. I've quite fond of that steel as a matter of fact and rank it my favorite.
Above industry standard tolerances for production of folders? Once again in theory it sounds nice, but in actuality seems to create an open-to-the elements mechanical device that requires plenty of maintenance to perform smoothly. Just look at the countless threads on BF about people's problems with the Sebenza, such as smoothness of opening and over and under engaging of lock bars. The recommended solution in most cases - send it back to CRK. Sure it's probably very unlikely to fail in rough conditions but in normal day to day use it appears to require a good deal of maintenance to perform flawlessly.
All folders are broken by design. If you want a knife that works perfectly all the time, every time, regardless of cleaning or not, buy a fixed blade. I've had to clean prior Benchmades and Spyderco's to keep them operating fluidly.
Flawless design? Well ask those who have sliced their fingers running them up the back of a closed Sebenza because the blade edge isn't set back far enough. Or those who have been cut when their Sebenza opened in their pocket. The solution often recommended - get a pocket sheath.
I have had zero issues with this.
Then there's the "issue" with Sebenzas just not being very efficient cutters. The solution often heard is to send it to Tom Krein for a regrind.
My knife is very efficient for a folder. It's not as thin as my Caly 3 CF but it cuts equally well however the Caly 'slices' better
Whatever your take on the recent destruction tests, the advertised "superb toughness" of the one piece line seems pretty questionable. Seriously when was the last time these knives got a steel upgrade or a change in heat treatment protocol? A2 steel at 55-57 RC seems pretty behind the times for a $200 - $400 knife.
Go buy an A2 steel Busse and let me know what you paid.
BF seems to serve as a relentless promoter of CRK knives while CRK barely participates in the forum. Compared to so many other makers/manufacturers that solicit opinions and answer questions from members here, CRK maintains a noticeably aloof presence.
I'ts not BF, it's the fans of CRk participating on BF
Honestly, what am I missing?
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So-Lo said:
The OP makes some good points. How can that be trolling? :confused:

I don't have any beef with them, and wonder the same things. I have owned and used Sebbies for 3 years. Great knives, but their CS flat out sucked for me! I didn't make a stink of things as I know I would be hung here.

Why the Umnum? Did users ever ask CRK for a knife like this?
I didn't ask Busse for a nuclear meltdown SFNO. Does a question like this matter? A manufacturer like CRK or Busse are going to make knives 'they' find exciting, and most of the time, people agree.
Why do they treat S-30 to a low RC?
Ask Chris? I honestly have no issue with it. The knife cuts and sharpens very well
Why are some studs so sharp they CUT your thumb?
Manufacturing defect? Is any company free of that?
Why do they ship dull knives from the factory?
Why do all other manufacturers do the same on occasion? Is any company expected to be 100% all the time?
Why the weak detent?
Who knows, ask Chris?
Why do they no show their face in THEIR OWN forum here???
They've been here on occasion.

Look at Kershaw and Spyderco, now that's the right way to run your company forum.
yeah it's nice, I have to agree. But it has zero bearing in who I'll buy a knife from

The Large BG-42 reg. Is probably the "one" for me, but the S-30s do nothing for me.
That's fine. People are fans of certain steels. For me, it's S30V and INFI. No big!

Flame on, :cool:
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ExMachina said:
i suppose i have a similar feeling as the OP though i wouldn't go so far as to imply that CRK is naked (as in, the emperor has no clothes). the sebenza is a great knife, but admit that i too have a hard time seeing how the retail price is justified in purely functional or asthetic terms. the answer--i think--is that the sebenza is a status symbol among knife knuts. the sebenza (or any semi-custom knife) shows that you know quality and that you are committed enough to knives and knife collecting to shell out the bucks. nothing wrong with that either. like a rolex watch, you pay for the brand and it's a brand that everyone (on some level or another) wants.
Remove CRK and insert X brand here. The same could be said for a lot of other knives. $500+ dollars for a Gold Class Benchmade???? Again, there's nothing wrong with it. If people thought CRK priced himself out of the market, the sales would follow that path, but apparently he hasn't
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Personally, I think a lot of the answers are common sense. But that's just me.
 
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